Chief Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016
Contact: Scott Allen
Phone: 508-378-7316
Email: sallen@ebmass.com
EB HOPE Receives $500 Donation for Drop-In Center from Mansfield Bank
EAST BRIDGEWATER — Police Chief Scott Allen and EB HOPE Director Susan Silva are pleased to announce that Mansfield Bank, through their local West Bridgewater branch, made a $500 donation to EB HOPE (East Bridgewater Help, Outreach, Prevention, Education) in support of its bi-monthly Drop-In Center.
John E. Ward, Vice President of Commercial Lending at Mansfield Bank, who is also an East Bridgewater resident, learned about EB HOPE locally. He connected with Silva and Chief Allen, and then visited the Drop-In Center to see the work the members do first-hand. Ward was so impressed with what he saw that he informed his colleagues about the community’s outreach program and the group decided to make a donation to support this initiative on Dec. 7.
“We’re so thankful and appreciative of Mansfield Bank for making this generous donation to EB HOPE’s Drop-In Center,” Chief Allen said. “Through their kindness and generosity, we’re able to continue to help those suffering from substance use disorders.”
EB HOPE is a nonprofit volunteer organization that launched in 2011, but opened its Drop-In Center in 2015. It is made up of a collaboration of members from the community, including police, school department personnel, town government, drug treatment and recovery centers, the clergy, community members suffering from substance use disorders and their family members.
Though based in East Bridgewater, EB Hope is part of the larger Brockton Area Opioid Awareness Prevention Collaborative and the Drop-In Center serves residents from numerous communities in the surrounding area. Volunteers include not only EB HOPE members, but also residents from Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and Hanson, among other local communities and coalitions.
Since opening its doors on Nov. 5, 2015, more than 500 people have visited the Drop-In Center, or have been referred to inpatient and outpatient services. Additionally, 180 people have obtained Narcan training at the Drop-In Center. Since Jan. 1, 2015, police officers and firefighters have saved 171 people from overdosing by deploying Narcan throughout Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
At EB HOPE’s next Drop-In Center session on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5-9 p.m., South Shore Hospital will once again be partnering with EB HOPE to bring their Mobile SimLab for those interested in receiving free Narcan training. Back in June, South Shore Hospital trained more than 60 people who attended the Drop-In Center on their Mobile SimLab. The event will be held at the Community Covenant Church, 400 Pleasant St., East Bridgewater.
EB HOPE is also presently looking for support of its Drop-In model, which is being replicated throughout the state and has garnered interest from other parts of the country. Teamsters Local 653 also made a $200 to EB HOPE during the last Drop-In Center. William C. Trask, President of the organization is an East Bridgewater resident. To donate, fill out and return the donation form.
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